For over 40 years, we’ve worked hand in hand with communities across northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin—creating opportunity, building connection, and investing in a brighter future.
Until now, we’ve done that work as the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation. But as our reach has grown, so has the need for a name that truly reflects the full geography and spirit of this northern region we all call home.
We’re proud to share our new name: Boreal Waters Community Foundation.
Our partnerships now span over 25,000 square miles—from the shores of Lake Superior to the inland lakes, rivers, forests, and towns that shape the heartbeat of our region. While our roots began in the Twin Ports, our work has long flowed beyond them.
Our new name is inspired by the resilient boreal forest and the waters that define life at northern latitudes. It reflects the landscapes we love, and the strength, diversity, and deep-rooted relationships that define the communities we serve.
It also brings clarity. For years, people have asked: Do you only serve Duluth and Superior? With Boreal Waters, the answer is clear: our work flows across the north.
This change didn’t happen overnight.
It started in 2022 with community conversations during our strategic planning process. Then, in February 2024, our board voted to move forward with a rebranding initiative to better align our identity with our evolving mission and expanded service area.
We launched a competitive RFP process and selected Šek Design Studio to help guide the transformation. Since then, our board and staff have been deeply involved in shaping every part of the new brand.
Throughout, we’ve approached this with intentionality—honoring the voices of our community and staying rooted in who we are, even as we grow into who we’re becoming.
This change isn’t about leaving something behind—it’s about stepping forward with clarity and purpose.
The heart of our work remains the same: investing in local leadership, amplifying community voices, and helping our region thrive for generations to come. What’s new is a renewed energy and a clearer identity—one that makes room for bold ideas, deeper partnerships, and lasting impact.
Our new logo reflects this renewal—symbolizing the vitality, resilience, and interconnectedness of life in our northern communities. It’s a visual representation of our promise: to grow with and for the communities we serve.
You’ll notice a new name and a fresh look. But our mission, our values, and our commitment to the region remain steadfast.
Our programs, grants, scholarships, and initiatives continue. We’re still your community foundation—responsive, rooted, and here for the long haul. This isn’t just a rebrand.
Have questions about how the rebrand affects you?
Check out these helpful FAQ pages:
Everything we’ve built over the last four decades has been in partnership—with neighbors, nonprofits, donors, leaders, and changemakers like you.
This rebrand is not just ours—it’s yours.
You’ve helped shape the journey, and we hope you’ll continue walking beside us as we move forward as Boreal Waters Community Foundation—a name and brand that reflects the strength of our region, the networks that connect us, and the future we’re building together.